Since 2019, Joel has been the Creative Director for a global organization and have spent years crafting narratives that move audiences—from videos and social media campaigns to full-blown brand development and printed publications. He earned a film degree in 2014, and is fueled by a lifelong love for telling stories.

No Sky But Red is the culmination of that passion, channeling years of storytelling experience into a dystopian, sci-fi story that is meaningful and relevant to the next generation of readers.

After globe-trotting Norway and Spain, Joel has settled in Liberty Hill, Texas, with his wife and kids. On his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, exercising, pickleball, and hiking. He plays piano and composes music on the side.

The sky is burning. The world is running out of time.

All that’s left is the Wasteland—a brutal stretch of dust, ruins, and rival factions where survival comes at a cost. Trust is rare. Betrayal is currency. The RedClads enforce order. The Scavengers fight to stay free. No one crosses the line between them.

Until now.

When a relic from the old world is uncovered—a book no one was meant to find—it sparks a race for power that could change everything.

Ky is a Scavenger who plays by his own rules.

Jes is a RedClad sworn to uphold hers.

They should be enemies.

But as violence spreads and a deadly storm closes in, their decisions will rattle the very fabric of their world—and their relationship. In the Wasteland, there are no second chances.

And some choices don’t just decide your fate—they decide the fate of everything.

The first book in a heart-pounding saga about the lines that divide us—and the fragile bonds that could bring us together.

No Sky But Red is a 86,000 word, YA novel, ideal for readers aged 14 and up who enjoy fast-paced, imaginative sci-fi/fantasy with a dystopian twist. It's especially suited for fans of steampunk aesthetics, morally complex characters, and post-apocalyptic adventure. 

Think The Maze Runner–style mystery, paired with the ethical questions of Scythe and the immersive world-building of Mortal Engines. At its core, it asks: what does love look like in a fractured world? It explores identity, belonging, loyalty, and justice—topics that resonate strongly with today’s young readers.

jtmartinson@jtmartinson.com

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🌍 World & Themes

• The world of No Sky but Red is shaped by survival and scarcity. Do you see this society as a warning, an inevitability, or something else entirely?

• How does the idea of “sky” function symbolically in the story? What does it represent to different characters?

• What role does fear play in maintaining control within this world?

🧠 Moral Complexity

• Are the Scavengers justified in their methods, or have they become what they’re trying to survive?

• When survival is at stake, where should the line be drawn morally—if anywhere?

• Did any character make a choice you strongly disagreed with but still understood?

🔥 Character Dynamics

• Ky and Jess have a layered dynamic—how would you define their relationship at its core (trust, dependence, conflict, something else)?

• Who changes the most over the course of the story—and is that change for better or worse?

• Which secondary character feels the most morally grounded, and which feels the most dangerous?

🧬 Mystery & Intrigue

• What questions did the story leave you with about Project Skyward?

• How much do you trust the information different factions believe to be true?

• Do you think the truth behind Skyward will bring clarity—or make things worse?

⚔️ Power & Control

• How do different factions (Scavengers, Scrags, etc.) define “power,” and how does that shape their behavior?

• Is leadership in this world earned, taken, or forced?

• Who, if anyone, is actually in control?

❤️ Emotional Hooks

• What moment hit you the hardest emotionally—and why?

• Was there a turning point where your perception of a character completely shifted?

• Which relationship feels the most fragile going forward?

🔮 Looking Ahead (Great for Series Hype)

• Based on Book 1, what do you think Ky’s true role in this world might be?

• What are your predictions for how Project Skyward will evolve in future books?

• If you had to choose: will this story end in restoration… or collapse?

🎙️ Podcast-Friendly “Hot Takes”

• “This character is more dangerous than the obvious villain—agree or disagree?”

• “The real antagonist of the story isn’t a person—it’s the world itself.”

• “Trust is the rarest resource in No Sky but Red.”

No Sky But Red — First 2 Chapters

After reading No Sky But Red, I want readers to know that they do not have to live with the shame of terrible decisions or difficult situations they lived through. Jes’ character arch is meant to show us that the it often isn’t easy to do the “right” thing; that only love leads to making the right choices. I want readers to know that even the worst betrayals can still be redeemed and forgiveness can be given. Redemption is possible for anyone.